Youth teen council expands

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
The Hanscom Teen Council is a group of high school students who meet each Monday afternoon at the Youth Center to discuss a variety of topics that impact base teens not only today, but as they prepare for life after high school.

Next school year, the teen council will expand to include eighth grade students.

"I think expanding the teen council to include eighth graders will more readily prepare them for high school and provide them more perspective on things happening on base," said Brenna Gonsalves, teen council president. "I wish they had it available when I was in middle school."

According to Amy Wenrich, a teen council advisor, the interest is there in that age group.

"Each week when the council meets in the teen center, the eighth graders want to get involved," said Wenrich. "There's no doubt they will help inject fresh ideas into the teen council."

In the past few months, the council has been hard at work. Among other functions, the members recently helped complete surveys on summer teen activities scheduled at the Youth Center.

In addition, the council has been involved in College Knowledge and Steps for Success for teens on base. The Air Force-directed programs educate teens on college options, inform them on ways to pay for college if the G.I. Bill is not available, encourage them to work toward a goal after high school and teach them how to build a resume.

For more information on the teen council or to get involved, stop by the Youth Center or call 781-225-6043.